Table top



July 2, 1929. c. E. GERBERICH 1,719,605

' TABLE TOP Filed April 29, 1927 l [NI/EN TOR CLARENCE E G'ERBERI cw J QZJMLW r- QML Patented July 2, 1929.

* UNITED STATES 1,719,605 PATENT OFFICE.

CLARENCE E. GERBERIGH, F AURORA, ILLrnoIs, AssIsNoR T0 LYON'METAL PROD-- UCTS, INCORPORATED, OF AURORA, ILLINoIs, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

TABLE TOP.

Application filed April 29, 1927. Serial No. 187,465.

My invention relates to sheet metal structures, particularly those in which a flat surface is provided with' a plurality of flanges which meet or substantially meet at the corner, and the objectof the invention is to provide simple and positive means for holding the flanges at the corners to insure strength and prevent relative displacement. The invention is applicable especially to I table tops, and my purpose in addition to strengthening the structure is to provide a corner-piece which is ornamental in character and at the same time acts as a buffer to prevent damage to chairs or other objects with which the table may come into contact. Still another object is to provide a structure such that the key or corner piece may be simply dropped into place, and when in place will tend to stay there underthe action of gravity so that if from any circumstances the key should tend to work loose it will not have a tendency to drop out 01 place.

I obtain these objects by the construction illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a perspective view of a complete table embodying the invention.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary perspective view showing a corner of the table with the corner piece or key in position.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on'the line 3-3 Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a top plan View on-an in creased scale showing the corner piece and adjacent portions of the table.

Figure 5 is a bottom plan view of the corner piece and adjacent portions of the table.

66 F lgure 3.

Figure 7 is a perspective View showing a Figure 6 is a sectional view on the line of my present invention.. The central portion 18 ot' the table may be of any suitable construction.

Referring now to the parts more intimately associated with the invention, the flanges 12 instead of meeting along a vertical line at the corners terminate short of each other a slight distance, thus leaving a space 20 between them bordered by two vertical edges 21. A small portion ofthe table top 10 at each corner is cut away, thus leaving an aperture 22 shown in perspective in Figure 7.

The space 20 at each corner is closed by a locking pin or key 24, the length of which is by preference approximately equal to the height of the flanges. I Each key is formed with two grooves 26 which extend from the bottom almost to the top. They are arranged at right angles to each other and are so proportioned asto receive the ends 21 of the flanges 12. The keys are rounded on the outside for two purposesone to present a pleasing appearance and the other for pre- Venting damage to furniture or other surrounding objects. At the top of the keythere is a cap 28 which is approximately circular in outline and which projects over the table top sufficiently to rest upon it and to cover the opening 22. It also closes the upper end of the slots 26. Thus the cap gives a finished appearance at the top of the table while the remaining portion of the pin does the same. for the side flanges.

. To assemble the parts the'ke 'is simplydropped into position. Ifthe parts fit with reasonable snugness it is not absolutely necessary that any other means be provided for holding the keys in place because gravity also tends to hold them in position It is desirable, however, to render it certain that the key will stay in place, and for this purpose the portions bordering the slots 26 will be squeezed onto the sheet metal enclosed between them. It will be understood that the keys may be made of malleable iron, mild steel or any other material which may be deformed slightly without breakage, and by thus squeezing or swedgi'ng a key to tighten it onto the metal of the table top all danger of accidental displacement of the key is eliminated.

I do not claim those features of the construction other than the keys and cooperating portions of the table top.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A sheet metal structure having a flat surface and two marginal flanges, the ter minating edges of said flanges being proximately positioned and a key for holding the flanges rigidly in position, said key having slots into which the proximate ends of the flanges project.

2. A sheet metal structure having a flat surface with two flanges having parallel terminating edges spaced slightly apart, a key having slots for receiving the adjacent ends of the flanges, and means for preventing endwise movement of the key.

3. A sheet metal structure having a flat top and depending flanges approaching each other at the corners but having vertical edges spaced slightly apart, and a key having slots into which the vertical edges of the flanges project, the corner of the top of the structure being cut away to accommodate the body of the key when said key is assembled therewith.

4. A sheet metal table top having a flat portion and vertical depending flanges Whose ends approach the corner but are spaced slightly apart and have vertical edges, a key having vertical slots for acconnnodatin g the end portions of the flanges, a portion of the tabletop being cut away at the corner to permit the key to be dropped into place, and a head on the key for limiting its descent.

5. A sheet metal table top having depending flanges approximately meeting at the corners along parallel vertical edges, a portion of the top being cut away, and a key having vertical slots for accommodating the adjacent ends of the flanges and adapted to be inserted through the cut away portion of the top, the key being rounded at the outer surface to prevent damage from external objects, the slots being closed at the upper end to limit the descent of the key.

6. A sheet metaltablc top having depending flanges which approximately meet at the corners along parallel vertical edges, a portion of the table top being cut away, and a key having vertical slots for accommodating the adjacent ends of the flanges and adapted to be inserted through the cut away portion of the top, the key having a cap dapted to overlie a portion of the table top to close the opening in the top of the table and impart a finished appearance.

7. A sheet metal table top having depending flanges which are slightly spaced apart at theend, a key having slots for accommodating the ends of the flanges, said hey being of metal capable of being deformed by squeezing so that the metal bordering the slots in the pin may press upon the enclosed portions of the flanges'ot the table top.

8 A sheet metal table top having depending flanges which approximately meet at the corners along parallel vertical edges, a

portion of the table top being cut away, and keys having vertical slots for accommodatmg the ad acent ends of the flanges, the keys 'each having a cap adapted to overlie a portion of the table top to close the opening in the top of the table and impart a finished appearance, and the keys being of deformable metal and squeezed onto the enclosed proximate edges of the flanges 9. A sheet metal structure having a flat surface and two marginal flanges depending therefrom having parallel edges spaced slightly apart and positioned substantially within the plane of their respective flange, and a key for holding the flanges rigidly in position, said hey having slots into which the proximate edge of the flanges project, the flat surface of the metal structure being provided with an opening to permit the association of the key with the proximate ends of the flanges. r

In witness whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name.

CLARENCE E. GERBERICH. 

